Greenhouse construction



Dec. 3, 1929. J. N. KEELER' I 1,737,766

GREENHOUSE CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 6, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l bzvenior Job/01115220161 x I 7 flllorqgy Patented fies. 3, 1929 JOHN n. KEELER, or CLEVELAND, OHIO,

ASSIGNOR TO THE CONTINENTAL GREEN.-

HOUSE MFG. COMPANY, OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHI

GREENHOUSE CONSTRUCTION Application filed February 6, 1929.

This invention relates generally to greenhouse construction, and relates more particularly to an improved construction at that point Where the roof bars engage the wooden gutters either of the box type or the V type, and the invention further particularly relates to an improved combination glass stop and drip groove construction.

The present invention is an improvement on what is known as the Gasser type of gutter in which the glass stop is provided as a relatively thin member which requires special milling and extends longitudinally of, and is spaced from, the upper end of the gutter, providing a continuously open space through which air and water of condensation passes. In the Gasser type of gutter the longitudinally extending glass stop for the bottom run of the glass, is nailed .to the lower end of the roof bar which must .be finished and beveled with extreme accuracy. The continuous space formed between the gutter and the lower end of the glass stop, admits a great amount of air to the greenhouse, and causes a great loss of heat therethrough. Further, in cold weather, ice is likely to form on the inside of the glass, and after a period of use the space between the glass stop and the gutter frequently becomes clogged with dirt so as to prevent escape of the water of condensation. When this space has become clogged up, it is practically impossible to clean it out on account of its concealed and inaccessible location. A further source of difficulty is that the space between the glass stop and the gutter sides frequently become clogged with the heavy paint which is applied to the gutters, usually of wood, in order to make them watertight. As the glass stop is nailed to the ends of the roof bars, circulation of air around the ends of the roof bars, and the repainting of the roof bars is rendered impossible, with results that the roof bar ends soon decay.

One of the objects of the'present invention is to improve construction for greenhouses which will overcome the objections and diiiiculties above pointed out which are incident to gutters of the Gasser type.

A further object is to provide an improved Serial No. 337,836.

construction wherein the condensation groove in the root bar is free and open so as to permit the water of condensation to discharge directly into the gutter from thefree, open and unobstructed end of the roof bar. YVith such a construction, the end of the roof bars are open and exposed so that they may be readily painted and protected against decay and a direct accessible passage is formed for the water of condensation, providing a straight condensation groove which can be readily cleaned out by means of a Wire and afl'ordin'g a minimum opening for the admission of air.

A further object of this invention is to provide a combination member which serves to eiiect aplurality of functions including that of a glass stop, a drip to carry off the water of condensation carried to the lower run of the glass of the greenhouse, and which further functions as spacing members between the roof bars insuring accuracy and economy in the spacing of the bars and the setting of the glass. This latter feature is a desirable fea-. ture as it effects aconsiderable, economy and saving in time in the erection of the greenhouse in that the combination unit servingas the glass stop, the drip groove and spacing bar are ordinarily furnished ready cut to. exact length so that it is only necessary to alternately nail the glass stops and roof bars in place without the necessity of measuring as is commonly required in the Gasser and other types.

A further object is to provide a simple and improved'method of framing roof bar ends, in which the roof bars may be securely attached by nails or the like, to the gutter sides.

A further object is to provide an improved construction in the framing of roof bars, whereby independent inside condensation gutters or gutter outlets are eliminated.

In the drawings, a selected embodiment, and a modified form. of the invention is shown for purposes of illustration.

Figure 1 is a vertical section showing the application of the invention to a gutter of the bO-X type,

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the application of the invention to a gutter of the box type.

Figure 3 is a vertical section showing the" application of the invention to a gutter of the V type.

Figure 4 is an enlarged section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

As shown in Fig. 1, a box type gutter of usual construction, and composed preferably of wood, comprises a bottom 1 and the sides 23, the gutter being mounted 011 a post 4; through the medium of a suitable bracket 5, the gutter being secured to the bracket by a suitable means as for example by screws 6.

At the top of the gutter sides there is provided a plurality of surfaces 78 which are arranged substantially normal to each other, one of said surfaces 7, being longer than the other. and arranged at an angle to the horizontal, this angle being substantially the angle of the roof bar 9.

As shown in Fig. 3, the wooden gutter is of the V type and comprises the oppositely inclined portions 10 and 11 which are suitably supported and positioned on a bracket 12 which is mounted on top of a post 18. The glass in one side of the greenhouse is shown at 14t the glass being retained in the frame 15 disposed below one side of the V gutter.

The angle of the V gutter portion 10 and 11,

is preferably such as to correspond with the pitch and angle of the roof bar 9 so that the upper edge of the side of the V gutter presents surfaces 7'-8 which are normal to each other and correspond to the normally disposed surfaces 78 of Fig. 1.

The roof bars 9, preferably composed of wood, are provided with drip grooves 16 for receiving and conducting the water of condensation from within the greenhouse.

The roof bars 9 are also provided with seats 17, to receive and position the glass 18.

In providing for the support of the ends of the roof bars, it is desirable to provide a construction which requires a minimum of cutting and fitting of surfaces, and also to provide a suitable disposition and arrangement of the parts which will leave the ends of the roof bars free and open to the atmosphere in order to reduce the tendency to decay, and also to provide a direct, free and unobstructed passage for carrying 05 and disposing of the condensed waterof condensation from within the greenhouse, preferably to the main gutter, and in this way avoid the necessity for additional and independent drip gutters and outlets within the greenhouse. The ar rangement and construction of the drip groove passages should be such that in the event that they become closed or clogged they may be readily cleared by the passage of a plate implement therethrough such as a wire or the like, either from within or without the greenhouse. As shown in Fig. 1, the end of the roof bar 9, at a point below the drip groove 16, is provided with a shoulder or i cut away portion so as to present surfa es normal to each other, which will correspond with, and fit upon the surfaces 7-8 of the gutter. The surfaces designated 19 and 20 form the cut away or notched portion of the roof bars. The surface 19 of the roof bar extends throughout the length of the surface gutter on the top edge of the gutter side, so that the outlet end of the drip groove 16 in the roof bar, is so disposed as to deliver the water of condensation collected within the greenhouse, directly to the main gutter by a direct, free, open and unobstructed passage which may be readily accessible for clearing, either from' inside or outside of the greenhouse in the event that thepassage became clogged with dirt and the like. This feature is a distinct advantage over the Gasser type of gutter construction, wherein a longitudinally extending strip extending lengthwise of the gutter is nailed and attached to the ends of the roof bars, which ends have to especially be prepared and in order to receive such a bar; when the bar was in position it served as a glass stop, and also extended downwardly and made it impossible to afford access to the drip groove in the roof bar from the interior of the greenhouse. Further, in the Gasser type of construction, the lower end of the longitudinally extending strip was spaced from the gutter side which left a continuously open space between the roof bars, which afforded a direct passage for air between the interior and exterior of the greenhouse; the water of condensation was carried from the inside of the greenhouse to the gutter, through said passage.

In accordance with the present invention, a construction and arrangement of the roof bar end relative to the gutter, is provided which eliminates the continuous open space, and eliminates the necessity for special cutting and fitting of the roof bar ends, but yet provides a simple and effective means for carrying off the water of condensation directly through said drip grooves in the roof bar, and affording a minimum opening for the passage of air between the exterior and interior of the greenhouse; there is alsoprovided a drip groove passage that may be readily cleared in the event that the same becomes obstructed.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2 there is provided a member 21 which is generally rectangular in form which serves to accomplish a plurality of functions including that of a glass stop, a drip groove, and a spacing member between the adjacent roof bars. I The member 21 extends longitudinally of the gut ter between the roof bars 9 and is preferably disposed or spaced inwardly from the exposed ends of the roof bars 9; the base of the member ,is supported on theinclined face 7 on the upper edge of the gutter 2, and the inner face 22 of the member 21 is preferably brought into alignment with the face 8 of the side of the gutter. The top side of the member 21 is provided with a shouldered portion 23 which serves as a glass stop for the lower run of the glass 18; the member 21 is thus interposed between the upper edge of the gutter 5 and the bottom run of glass 18, so that the space between the roof bars 9 is closed. This latter feature is a distinct departure from the Gasser type of construction. The end of the members 21 abut against the roof bars 9, this construction being more clearly shown in the perspective view of Figure 2; such a construction however still permits the drip groove 16 in the roof bars to be free and unobstructed so as to afford a passage for the water of condensation to be carried from inside the greenhouse, to the main gutter outside of the greenhouse. This passage affords a minimum opening for the passage of air and a consequent exchange of heat to and from the greenhouse.

A drip groove 24 extends longitudinally of member 21 on the inner face thereof, said drip groove being so disposed that the bottom thereof is above the outer side 25 of the drip groove 16 in the roof bar 9 said arrangement being preferably employed, in order to convey the water of condensation from the drip groove 24 in member 21, to the drip groove 16 in the roof bar 9. Other arrangement may be employed, the important point being that the water of condensation be conducted from a drip groove in the member 21, to the drip groove in the roof bar 9.

Figure 3 shows the general arrangement and disposition of the member 21 relative to the roof bar, when used in connection with a V type gutter.

Figure 4 is an enlarged section taken on the line 44 of Figure 3.

One feature of advantage in employing this invention enables a considerable econo-,

my and saving of time to be effected in laying out and constructing the greenhouse, because the members 21 will be uniformly cut to length, and may be nailed or otherwise secured in place upon the gutter, alternately with the ends of the roof bars so that it will be unnecessary to make special measurements in order to position the roof bars, as is necessary in the Gasser type of construction; in this way, the members 21, serve as spacing bars. A further advantage, is that no special and accurate cutting or fitting of the ends of the roof bars is required.

While one preferred form has been shown and described of this invention, for purposes of illustration, it is understood that various changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Nhat I therefore claim and desire to se cure by Letters Patent is:

1. In greenhouse construction including a wooden gutter, a lower run of glass, roof bars havlng a drip groove therein, said roof bars having a shouldered portion at its end below the drip groove for seating upon the top and side of the gutter respectively the end of the roof bar being free and open to the air andextending to the inner side of the gutter so as to deliver water from the drip groove to the main gutter directly, hrough a direct andunobstructed gutter which may be readily cleared from either the exterior or interior of the greenhouse, and a member mounted between the gutter top and the glass, said member functioning as a glass stop, a drip groove and a spacing member between the roof bars, the drip groove in the glass stop functioning to deliver the water to the drip groove in the roof bar.

2. In greenhouse construction including in combination a wooden gutter and a roof bar having a drip groove therein, anda lower run of glass, said roof bar and gutter being arranged to convey the water of condensation in a direct, straight, unobstructed passage from the drip groove in the roof bar to the gutter, said roof bar having a cut away portion in the lower end of the roof bar forming a shoulder, whereby one portion of the end of the roof bar below the drip groove abuts against the side of the gutter, and the end of the roof bar is supported on the top of the gutter, and extends to the inner side of the gutter, and a glass stop between the gutter and glass, this stop having a drip groove therein to convey the water to the drip groove in the roof bar, said stop extending between adjacent roof bars at a point spaced from the end of the said roof bars.

3. In greenhouse construction including in combination a gutter side, a roof bar having a drip groove therein, said bar being mounted upon and extending across the top of the gutter, a lower run of glass having one side supported in the roof bar, and a member extending longitudinally of the top of the gutter, said member having a drip groove therein for conveying water to the drip groove in the roof bar, said member being interposed between the gutter and the glass functioning as a glass stop and as a spacing member between the roof bars.

4;. In greenhouse construction including in combination, roof bars having a drip groove therein and a seat for glass, a lower run of glass carried by the roof bars, and a gutter supporting the end of the roof bars, the end of the roof bars being free and open to the air and affording a direct, unobstructed passage to the gutter for the water from the drip groove in said roof bar, and a triple function member mounted on the gutter, said member being interposed between the gutter and the lower run of glass and extending between adjacent roof bars and having a drip groove therein arranged to drain in a drip groove in the roof bar, whereby said member serves the triple function of a glass stop, drip groove and spacing member.

5. In greenhouse construction the combination of, a gutter having at its side a plurality of surfaces normal to each other, one of said surfaces being longer than the other, the long er of said surfaces being inclined to the horizontal at substantially the same pitch as the roof bars, a roof bar having a condensation drip groove therein and a seat for glass, said roof bar having a shoulder at its end adapted to fit and engage with the normal surfaces of the gutter, and acombined glass stop, drip groove and spacing member of general rectangular section, said member being mounted on the longer of the inclined surfaces of the gut ter side at a point spaced from the end of the roof bar and extending between and having its end abutting against adjacent roof bars, said member having a drip groove therein in substantial alignment with the drip groove in the roof bar, whereby the water of condensation is conducted from the roof bar and said member through a direct and unobstructed passage to the gutter independent of other drip gutters.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JOHN N. KEELER. 

